Machine for stamping and sealing mail-matter.



- PATENTED APR. 14, I1908. E. C. MORRIS 6L L. J. HALL. MACHINE FOR STAMPING'AND SEALING MAIL MAT TER.

7 SHEETSSHEET 1.

APILIOATION FILED 00T. 2. 1897. RENEWIID JUNE 8. 1900.

No. 884,838. A PATLNTED APR. 14, 1808.

' L. 0.4'M0R818 8 L. J. HALL.

MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALING MAIL MATTER. I

APPLIQAT'ION LILED 00T. Q 1897. RBNLW'LD JUNE 8. 1900.

7 SHEETS-SHEET zIA @m0888888 eux M0. 884,888.. PATEMTED APR. '14, 1908. 8.0. MORRIS 8 L. Ja HALL.

MACHINE P08 STAMPING AND SEALING MAIL MATTER.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.2. 1897. 'RENEWED .TUNE 8. 1900. .Y

I 'I SHBETS-SHEET 3.

@Wfmawy GQQKORS.

i PATENTED APR. 14 E. G.' MORRIS 8 L. J. HALL. MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SBALINGMAILMATTER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2. 1897..)1ENEW/ED JUNE 8. 1900.

7 SHEETS-s188884'.

Nmsamss. i PATLNTED APR. 14, 1908'A L. 0. MORRIS L L. J. HALL.

R. E. ml. T A M L I A...v M G N I L A E S D N A, G N I .DL M A T S R 0 nr. Du N .I H ,C A M APPLICATION IILED 00T. 2. 1897. RENEIWBD JUNE 8. 1900.

7 SHLETSQSHLET 5.

' /fvyE/VICHS @QM M ATTORNEYS @y xm-4 .awa @.MM

Na. 884,838.- vPATIINTED APR.' I4, 1908.'

M o. MORRIS L L. I. HALLl` MACHINE PQR STAMPING AND SEALING MAIL MATTER.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T. 2. 1897. BENEWED JUNE 8. 1900.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6 No. 884,888. PATLNTLD APR. 14, 1908.

Y L. 8. Mo881s 8 L. J. HALL. 8 MACHINE F08 STAMPING AND SLALING MAIL MATTER.

APPLICATION FILE) OCT. 2. 1897. RENEWED .TUNE 8. 1900.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

Vthe

UNITED ISTATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD C. MORRIS AND LOUIS J. HALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID HALL ASSIGNOR TO SAID MORRIS.

MACHINE FOR STAMIING AND- SEALING MAIL-MATTER.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

' Patented Apni 14, 1908.

Application led October 2, 1897, Serial No. 653,832. RenewedJune 8, 1900. Serial No. 19,626.

To all whom it Imay` concern.'

Be it known that we, EDWARD C. MORRIs' .bodied in a machine lmore particularly designed for use in stamping andsealing envelops, although it will be understoodv that the essential features of the improvement may be applied in machines for stamping circulars and even news apers, if desired.y

The object o the invention is to provide an ap aratus of the lcharacter referred to which wi render possible the sealing and stamping of any considerable quantity of mail matter with greater'expedition and economy of operation than by4 hand labor or any other meansor methods heretofore employed for urpose. Tie invention further contemplates Athe handling of ostage stamps in the original form in whicfi they are supplied by the Government, i e., in sheets of one hundred stam s each, although ca able of handling equal y well continuous s Ieets of stamps, in case they can be obtained in the latter form.

In a machine embodying our invention as applied to the stamping of envelope, the latter are placed in quantities upon or within a suitable table or support along which they are moved until brought in succession within the range of suitable carrier mechanism by which they arc'brought into position to receive the stamp. The sheets of stamps are mounted within a carriage bv. whichthe successive stamps of'each row in theI sheet are presented in turn to the action of an aflixing mechanism by which the stamp is severed and aflixed to the envelop that is at that moment presented by the carrier mechanism.

'lhe transverse movement of the carriage will be a step by step movement which at the end of each row of stamps will be interrupted by one interval while the succeeding row is fed into position o posite the plunger, and the end stamp of tle Iow is severed and applied bythe latter. 'lhe step by step movement then proceeds in the reverse direction until that row is exhausted.whereupon a third row tively prevent their separation.

is fed forward, and this operation is repeated as long as the machine continues to run.

For the handling of successive sheets 0f stamps the improvement involves the'provision of any suitable means for supplying succeeding sheets of stamps to be in turn adisin as each preceding f sheet is exhausted. One such sultable means 1s herein disclosed 1n or fabric, between which the sheets of stam s are placed with their marginal edges closely adjoiningl each other. This double Web, with its v'inclosed stamps is provided on a roll within the carriage and unwound gradually as the stamps are needed, the fabrics or webs beingV separated as they are unwound to release the inclosed stamps which are thus produced in a practically'continuous sheet of which the actually separate parts are in such exactsuccession that no gap appears between them. If' found necessary the separate sheets may furthermore be connected by narrow adhesive strips lwhich would posi- The separate webs as they are unwound to release the stam s will be conveniently wound up again on ro ls rovided for the urpose and these rolls wil also convenient y constitute the stamp feed rolls of the 'carriage and may be used as such to feed forward a single or conlomitted. Conveniently also the three rolls thus provided for the webs will be made oapable of being reversely operated so as to replac:` the, double web on the first roll, and will thus afford a means o f introducingl a new series of sheets of Astamps between the fabrics after the first lot of stamps has been exhausted.'

The stamping mechanism thusgenerally described may obviously be employed Without reference to the provision for sealing the envelops, but the complete invention further contemplates the employment of means for this purpose in connection with said stamping mechanism so that both operations Ina be carried on by thesame machine and simu taneously. To this end moistening devices are provided in the path of the envelope as they are moved in succession from the origi- 'nal pile and the envelop flaps are brought into contact with said moistening devices by the action of the Icarrier mechanism. After being thus moistened the Iiaps are turned vanced row by row to the affixing Inechan-' the form of a double web of iieXible material,

tinuous sheet of stamps even if the Webs are Y' ferred to.

down by suitable pressure devices which are brought to be ar by the continued movement of the envelop so that the latter is sealed thereby. ln the present instance such sealing devices are provided between the plunger and receiving table. The adhesion of the stamps is also in this instance caused by moistening the envelop in its passage from the receiving table to the plunger and separate moistening devices are conveniently provided for this purpose. Obviously however, an o erative mechanism involving a generally similbr construction, so far as the application of the stamps is concerned, might be provided in which the stamps themselves instead of the envelop were moistened before being applied.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of one construction of machine practically embodying it, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrative thereof and in which Figure l is a plan view of an envelop seal-- ing and stamping machine of the class re- Fig. 2 is front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a sectional side" elevation taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig.5 is a erspective detailshowing ,the mounting 'of t e idle roll of the carrier mechanism. .Fig 6 is a sectional detail y thereof. Fig. 7 is afragmentary perspective view showing the manner o f arranging the envelo s on the receiving table and the metho of moistening the flaps. Fig. 8 is a rear view of thc plunger mechanism; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view thereof. Fig. 10

is a top lan view vof the device for moisten.

is rotated from any suitable motor or footd power mechanism by means of a belt or other 'driving connection b1 passing over a pulley b2 on the shaft. As herein shown the pulley b2 is provided with an integral flange b3 and rotates freely upon the shaft, the face of said flange being provided with clutch teeth b4 .adapted to interlock with corresponding teeth b5 on the face of a sliding clutch collar b which may be thrown into or out of engagement with the flange b3 by rany suitable shifting handle 57. The clutch collar b slides on a feather on the shaft B so that when the clutch is in engagement with the pulley the shaft is rotated whereas when out .of engagement the pulley rotates freely .While the shaft remains stationary. The

shaft itself operates the plunger mechanism and stamp carriage, as hereinafter more is operatively connected with andY actuates the carrier mechanism by means of the following constructions: B1 designates a bevel gear rigidly secured to an internal sleeve bs which also is rigidly attached to the pulley b2 so that the. gear and pulley rotate together. Between the gear and pulley said sleeve `passes through and is supported by a. bearing b9 from the frame A and the end of the shaft B passes loosely through the sleeve bs which serves as an end journal for the shaft. The gear B1 intermeshes with a second bevel gear C which is secured to the end of a short shaft c that is mounted at right angles to the shaft B in bearings c1 on the base A. At its ,inner or rear end, the shaft c carries a rigidly attached crank disk or arm C1 from the face of which a crank or wrist pin c2 projects rearwardly into a vertical slot d in the face of a pin revolves about the shaft c the carrier plate is given a horizontal reciprocatory movement. At its lower end the plate D is shown as supported upon a horizontal guide rod d1 upon which it is free to slide, said guide rod being mountedA in supporting lugs d1 on the base A. At its upper end said .plate D issecured to a sliding bar D1 so as to reciprocate with the same. The bar D1 is and d4 rising from the base A and is made back 'and forth the full throw of the crank C1 without slipping from its bearings in said brackets. D1 is to carry a number of presserarms D2, D3, and D1 which are rigidly but adjustably fastened upon the bar by means of set screws d5 or equivalent clamping devices. Be-

passes loosely through the lugs d of the plate D and the ends of the lugs d(1l are shown as abutting closely upon the adjacent ends of the presser arms. free to oscillate independently of the plate D while held against endwise movement with reference thereto. This oscillatory movement of the bar is designed to throw the upper ends of the presser arms forward against the envelop at thebeginning of each Working stroke and away from the envelop at the end of the working stroke and during the return stroke. Any suitable mechanism stance We have shown a toggle D5 inserted which projects out from the carrier plate D. Said toggle comprises a short link d8 pivoted at d to the lug (i7 at one of its ends and pivoted at its other end by a pin d10 to the end of a similar short length 11 which in turn is pivoted at its other end at i12 to the back of the presser armD1. To operate the c'arrier plate D so arranged that as the wrist.

loosely mounted in supporting brackets di sufficiently longer than the distance betweenY said brackets to admit of its being moved The principal function of the bar' may be employed to this end, and in this in-v between the presser arm D4 and a lug d1 fully described, while the driving pulley b2 tween the presser arm D3 and D1 said bar The bar D1 is therefore this purpose.

apart somewhat ,less than the stroke of the carrier and are so arranged that at the outer end o f said stroke the stop d strikes the bracket dl? and operates the toggle to force the presser arm D4 out against the envelop, while at theinner end of the stroke the stop d strikes the bracket d and operates the toggle to` withdraw the presser arm from the envelop. As herein shown the inner end'of the tripping bar Ds is made in the form vof a separate head D7 lwhich is flattened at d1 to pass between the links ci'g and d and engage the pivot d10, and to which the outer portion D is secured by an adjustable screw joint. The stop d1is' in this instance a check nut by which the screw j oint is lockedin any desired adjustment, and a further adjustment is provided by making the stop C115 screw upon the end of the tripping rod and ,securing itl in place by a check nut d. .Inasmuch as all the nresserarms are 'rigidly secured :to the bar D1 the oscillatory movement thus given upon its lower edge or that opposite the sealto the presser arm D4 by the toggle will be transmitted equally to the other two.

E desi ates a receiving table upon which of any desired number with each envelop arranged in a vertical position and resting ingflap. vThe forward end of the table E terminates at a point adjacent to the outer presser arm D4 at the outer end of the throw of the latter.

. walls E3 of the table.

An end wall or plate E1 guards the front end of the table and is cut out, as shown at e in Fig. 1, to permitfree movement of the arm D4. The pack of'envelops is continually forced Vagainst this guard wall by a movable plate or piston E2 which is pressed forward by any suitable mechanism, consisting'in this instance of cords el passing over suitable sheaves e2 and having weights e3 secured to their ends. Said cords are attached to brackets e* and are secured to the plate E2 and extend through slots in the side pile of envelops through the aperture e in the wall E1, and is then movedhorizontally by the crank C1 it will slide the front envelopof the pack alongwith it away fromthe remaining env-elo s and toward the plunger mechanism.A T e rest of the envelops will be pre- .vented from moving Iendwise fat this time bv the inner side wall E3 of the table, which wall The face of the presser will extend forward withina short distance of the front wall E1 so as to leave but a narrow space e through which the envelop which is engaged by the presser arm must pass. A light spring e7 is furthermore herein shown as provided at this point to yieldingly permit the passage of said first envelop whether it be thicker or thinner, while holding back the second and succeeding envelop for the time'being. l As the envelop is thus carried inward. from the table E it passes between the presser arm and two series or sets of idlerolls F, F1,- which simply operate as guide rolls to determine the path of the envelop and resist the pressure of said 'presser' arm. These rolls are desirably spring supported soas to press yieldingly against the envelop and are herein shown as arranged in two sets and'mounted upon a suitable carrying standf which is conveniently bolt-ed to the base A. 'The first set of rolls .F consists in Ythis 'instance of three rolls journaled. onV

pins f1 whichv rise from a common connecting -bar f2, said pins being inserted in upwardly projecting lugs f 3 of said arm. The barf.2 is provided at its opposite ends with lugs f* through which horizontal pins f5 extend Aforwardly into similar lugs fbf the standar-df. These pins f5 slide loosely through the apertures in the lugs'f and thus support the bar i .'Ein such manner as to permit a horizontal the enve ops are origmally placed 1n a pack'4 backward and forward movement. A plate spring f 7 is herein shown as insrtedbetweenan upwardly 'projecting/lug f8 on the rear edge of the standardf and two downwardly projecting lugs f on the front edgeof the ar f2 near the ends thereof. will, obviously tend to force the rolls F forward against the presser arm while permit- -ting the rolls t yield aigreater or less'distance as envelops of varying thicknesses are .forced through bythe presser arm. The

other set of rolls F1 is supported in an identical manner and differs only in containing four rolls, as herein shown, instead of three.

The means provided in this instance for moistening the gum von the sealing flaps of the envelops comprisesa small water receptacle or tank G provided immediately in front of the front wall El of the receiving table and`just above the path of the presser arm. The envelops X will be arranged with their flaps opened out horizontally and This 'spring' overlap ing each other, the first envelop of l the pac f being placed with its flap projecting over the outer end of the tank G and the succeeding envelops having their overlapping` flaps pointed forwardly in the same manner. j

Awire deflector G1 is shown as projecting from the front wall of the tank rearwardly and downwardlyinto the tank and is so ar- `ranged that as each envelop is moved inward its Hap will be forced downward by the wire into the water with which the tank will b e filled. rllhe moistened lap\ will then be stated.

closed down against the body of the envelop by a sealing bar H which in this instance consists of a bent wire secured at one end b solder or otherwise to the wall of the tank and at its other' to the end of a laterally `proand a continuing vertically upturned por-" tion h1 which is intended to exert apressure across the entire extent of the flap tending to secure its adhesion. The open space o'n thefront side of the p ath ofthe envelop between the inner end e8 of the front 'wall of the receiving table and the outer end of thel plate i is'provided at this point to permit the envelop flap to be closed ldown in the manner Beyond this point the envelop is closely confined in its path of movement up to the time it is ejected into the receiving box after all operations are completed.

The devices provided in this instance for moistening the face of the envelop preparatory to the application of the stamp thereto comprise a swmging arm J mounted on a ver-` tlcal pivot y at the upper end of a vertically projecting lug f 1 of the standard f which supports the rolls F, F1. The face of the arm J is covered with a brush or felt or other ab-l sorbent surface J1 capable of holding a considerable amount of moisture. The arm -J is pressed forward by a spring J2 which is secured at its lower` end to a lug j of the bar] and at itsl upper end engages the rear side of a downwardly projecting lug jl of the swinging arm. The end of the rioistening brush or felt is fhus maintained in close proximity to tlif'adjacent face ofthe laterally project- `ing plate i on the front Vside of the envelop passage, -so that asveach envelop is forced through it will be moistened wherever the brush or felt' strikes it,

lt being undesirable and unnecessary to moisten the Aface of the envelop anywhere else than at the point of application of a' stamp, means are provided for forcing back the swinging arm as soon as the front end of. the envelop has passed by a suliicient`distance. Such means consist, as herein shown, of a curved finger y'2 secured to the end of the arm J and thence bent upwardly, forwardly, and downwardly over and in front of the plate i. A cam surface or plate ja secured to the middle presser arm D3 is ar' ranged to strike the lower end of the finger j2 in the forward movement of the carrier and forces the moistener back away from the envelop at the predetermined moment, allowpipe y'4 terminating in the vfunnel js is proor affixing the stamps to the envelops is constructed as follows: Idesignates a standard secured to the base plate and in this instance made with an upper detachable' section I1 which, however, ma be made integral. At the top of the stan ard a plungerv arm' K- is mounted to reciprocate horizontally from' 30 front to rear and is herein shown as sliding between ways 'il of the-standard,'said Ways being in this instance' made adjustable by means of screws i2. Said plunger arm projects rearwardly. over the path of the eng5 velops and "thence downwardly toa point opposite a rectangular die late L. This die p ate is arrangedy behind t e path of the enj velop and is herein shown as supported at the Aupper end of a standard Lliwhich is also se- 90 cured 'to thebase A.` The die l late L will" v conveniently be 4made -of suitab e tool steel and of." such shape as to be readily secured within a suitable aperturev inthe u per end of the standard L1. The 'rectangu ar .open- 95 ing of the die latewill 'be ofthe exact size and shape of t, e postageA stamp label or like for which the machine is intended and stamps of diderent sizes or shapes are to be appliedtseveral die lates will' be provided 100 accordingly. The p unger proper K1 pro-v jects forwardly from the depending rear en d ofthe plunger arm. Said plunger 1s made ofY the exact size of the die late and is designed .to be carried entirely t rough the die plate f and against the op osite side of the envelop passage each time -t ie plunger arm is recipre., cated.A The. sheet of stamps will be guided to aposition at the rear of the die plate and between it land the plunger by means ,of sheet'metal guides Z Z1 and the arrangement' for feeding in the stamps will besuch, as here inafter described, that an end stamp of the, uppermost row ofl stamps will be passed before the; opening in the die plate just previous to the movement of the plunger so that said movement will sever thisstamp from the rest of the sheet and force it forward against Athe moistened surface of the passing envelop, the mucilage side of the stamp being facedllgo forward so that it adhere. Under ordi nary circumstances it will be evident that each stamp will be severed only along two ofv its edges, ie., a side edge and its bottom edge, so that the cutting operation will not be difficult. Preferably, however, the ,cutting edges of either 'the die plate or-plui1gerv will be arranged at a sufficient angle tojaord. a shearing cut, as shown in this instance in Y the oblique edge Z2 ofthe' die, Which'wiil fur-v 1.30

. each side of the plun er K1.

mentwhile the end stamp is being severedr and applied, consisting in this instance of a spring pressed arm K2 -herein shown as sup ported on asliding pin lc mounted in a lug lc41 on the upper side of the plunger arm K. Said clamping arm K2 is bifurcated to depend on either side of the plunger arm K and terminates in clamping ends k2 located at The front end of tie pin c is enlarged or headed, as shown, and between this'head and the lug k1 of the plunger arm the coil spring 7c3 is in this instance inserted to exert a yielding pressure on the 'clamping arm tending to maintain the same at 'the inner limit of its movement relatively tol the plunger. When the latter is forced forward to sever and to alix the stain) the ends k2 of the clamping arm on the side from which the stamp carriage is approaching will be carried against that stamp which stands laterallyT adjacentA to th(` one which is being severed. Then as the plunger continues its forward movement the spring 7c3 will yield and the clamping arm will remain stationary but firmly pressed against the adjacent surface of the die plate or its support with the stamp intervening. This clamping of the stamp adj acentto the one which is being severed will occur just before the plunger enters the die, by reason of the fact that the front surface of the clamping ends k2 normally rojects slightly infront of the plane of the p unger face so that they will str1ke the stamp beforethe plunger does, and the obvious result of the clamping action is to prevent any tendency of the other stamps being mutilated or displaced by being drawn partially into the die with the stamp whichls severed. The opposing surface of the envelop assage which receives theimpact of the p unger is desirably made yieldlrig so as to insure a pressure sufficient to a 1x thel stamp without danger of injuring the parts, and to this end is herein shown as com rising a yielding plate i2 which is given a sli-ding support by ins lland i4 which pass freely through suita leholesin the upper portion of the standard I.. A plate spring i5 is shown as inserted between the yielding plate l2 and the supporting standard to normally force the former forward, its move# ment 1n thls directlon being Ashownas l1m- 'sited by theJ` heads of the lower pins .fit-Which act as stops. l envelop the spring t5 will yield 'suiciently to permit the plate I? te slide back a greater or.

ess distance as necessitated by the thickness of the envelop which is being stam ed.

Suitable devices are provided or reciproeating the plunger mechanisrr thus described at correct intervals, and-are in this instance constructed of follows: M desig- `When the plunger strikes the'y with the front end of the plunger arm K in such manner that any movement of. the

rocker arm must reciprocate the plunger.

As herein shown such connection is made by passing a headed bolt c* through a loosely iittin aperture in the end of the rocker arm into t e end of the plunger arm. A lock nut lc is shown as inserted between the extremity of the rocker arm and the end surface of the plunger arm and enables the bolt to be locked 1n an adjusted position,' such as to rovide just space enough between the hea of the bolt and the lock nutto allow the rocker arm necessary play without lost motion. Said rocker arni is herein shown as receivin an oscillatory movement from the main sha t B, and to this end the latter carries a double arm B2 having rejecting sirably ma( e to carry iction rollers b that are adapted to strike the lower end of the rocker arm in each revolution of the shaft. This accom lishes the working stroke of the plunger and) the action in this articular is positive, so that the plunger wil necessarily e forced inward to affix a stamp at exact intervals occurring twice 1n each revolutlon of the main shaft. A slight dwell of the plunger at the moment the stamp is applied may be conveniently attained with this construction by forming the front of the rocker arin with a slight inward curve, as show-n at m2,' at the point where the striking pins b vpass their dead center relatively to the rocker arm. The return movement lof the rocker arm and plunger is in this instance effected by a s ring ressedl in Ml that is seated in a suitab e soc reti of the standard I and is normally forced forward against the rocker arm by a suitable coil or other spring placed behind it. To enable 'the return of the plunger tobeaccomplished very 'quickly by such spring action a sharp inward bend is given tothe rocker arm at a' point m3 just above the dwell curve m2, so that i'nimediately after the period of dwell the striking pins will pass almost instantly out of contact with said rocker arm.

After the stamp has been applied by the afii'xing mechanism the envelop vis passed on between fixing rolls N and O which will apply further 'pressure to the entire envelop and thus insure the adhesion of the stamp and the sealing of the flap. On passing from these rol-ls the envelop is ready to be rroved plins b1 which are de-k from the machine and, asherein shown, is Y droppedvinto a chute P through which it falls into any suitable receptacle P1. Said fixing rolls'N and O will be conveniently held in yielding contact by any suitable'spring support which, for examp e as heretoforeA illustrated in connection wit may be applied to- .the roll N in the same manner substantiallj;Y

the rolls F, F1, but which isv not specifically herein shown. The roll O is herein shown as actuated from a pulley B3 on the main shaft by means of a belt b12 which passes over an adjustable idler O1 and around the belt pulley'o on` the supporting shaft o1 of ,said roll, the diameters of the pulleys being made .such as to accom lish 'the surface speed of the fixing rolls su cient to withdraw and-reject the envelops as rapidly as may'be found necessary. A yielding spring Nl plrovided in the envelop passage adj acen-tto t e fixing rolls aids in guiding the envelops properly between them. The bottom of the envelop passage formed bythe standards f and L1 will be made smooth and substantially continuous throughout its length, so as to secure an easysliding movement of the envelops thereon.

l friction rolls g journaled to -the carriage.

Means are provided for reciprocating ithe carriage by a step by step movement effected, in the approved construction shown, by an endless reversing screw S provided in the surface of a suitable cylinder S, the shaft of which is arranged parallelwit'h the path of movement of the lcarriage. and supported within bearings s of the base A. Rotary movement is'given to this cylinder and screw intermittin ly andl betweenl each working stroke of the plunger. the carriage is arranged to project into said screw and the intermittent movement of the latter will, therefore, actuate the carriage in correspondingly intermittent steps. The

' 'rotary movement applied to the screw for each lunger movement will be so proportione wit relation to the pitch and diame- .ter of the screw that each of said movements,

` Y except at reversing points, will carry the carriage along the exact width' of one 'stam rAt each end of the screw o r, in other wor s, at the meeting points ofthe two helices which must necessarily characterize this mechanical element', the movement of the carriage will be reversed and 'the connecting curve of the tw helices will-be made sufficiently gradual, as shown at s1, to prevent any jar at such time. The arts will'be, moreover, so adjusted that tfie rotary 1imulse which 'accomplishes the reversal will. eave the stud gjl in t e same transverse plane, relatively to the axis of the screw, at the end 'A fixed stud q1 onv for by providing adjusta of said impulse as at the beginning, the stud and carriage moving during this interval to y the extreme end of their` path and back again to the same position as the stud passes the point of the joining curve s1. movement 'ofthe carriage, however, will be idle and the practical effect will be the same as though thecarriage-had remained stationary during this interval. The position of the s tud at the be inning of such aninterval is shown at: l1in ig. 1, and its position in the screw att 1e end of such interval is indicated by dotted lines at q2 in said figure. The object of securing such dwell of the carriage at reversing points is to ermit the succeeding This l row of stamps to be ed forward after theV I end stamp of the kpreceding roW has been applied and to giveop ortunity for the lunger to operate on the first stamp of sai succeeding row before the ell'ective return Inovement is started, it being obvious that if said return movement began instantly with the next actuating impulse of the screw S after the action of the plunger on the last stam i, the next movement ofthe plunger wouldL strike the second stamp of the succeeding row and the first stamp of Said row would be missed entirely.

The intermittent rotation of the screw S may be accomplished by any suitable connection from the main shaft. As herein shown such connections comprise a'ratchet wheel S2 fixed upon the projecting end of the screw shaft s2 and adapted to be engagedby ratchet dogs s3 mounted in two opposite oscillatory armsY S3 and S4 which areloosely journaled on the shaft s2 betweenA the ratchet i wheel S2 and the end bearing s of the shaft. Wrist pins s4 project from the arms S3 S4 and are connected by separate pitmen S5 and S6 with a common crank B4 on the endA of the main drive shaft. With this construction two separate impulses of the Screw S result with each v'revolution of the drive shaft. It

is obviouslynecessary that the feed of the` carriage to present each succeeding stamp must occur between the time at which the plunger is withdrawnA from the die plate and the time at which it enters the die plate again. This necessary suddenness of movement is in this instance accomplished by providing for a considerable lost motion betweenr the rotary movement of the crank arm B4 and the oscillatory movement ofv the ratchet arms S3 S. Such lost motion is provided, as herein shown, by' allo'winor eachwrist pin s4 to project into a slots5 intlie end of its lenga' ing pitman, so that in each reciprocation o' the pitman the ratchet will remain unmoved until the wrist pin has traversed the length of the slot and come in contact with the end thereof; An exact adjustment of the movement with relation to the movement of the other arts is arranged ble stops s6 at the vouter ends of the slots 85 and by making the lengthgof the pitman adjustable, as shown The mechanismfor feeding a new row of lstamps forward after the last stamp ofthe preceding row has ,been applied irs herein shown as comprising a pair of rolls T and U by which the sheet of stamps is carried forward between guides g3 vand g4 of the carriage Y land between the guides Z and Z1 which'direct it to the die plate. The roller Tis given an intermittent rotary movement at the reversing points of the carriagem'ovement by means ofa shaft T1 which 'passes freely through bearing ,5 on the carriage and upon which the roll lgslides on a feather. The

' *outer end of the shaft T1 is revolubly sup ported in a bearing bracket T? 'ising from the base A, and is provided near said bearing' bracketwith a ratchet wheel T3. Between theratchet'wh'eel and `the bracket a ratchet arm T4 is mounted to oscillate axially about the shaft T1 and isherein shown as rigidly secured to a sleeve t which is revolubly mounted in the' bearing bracket T2 around the end of the shaft T1. vThis ratchet arm is y arranged to be oscillated once in each revolution of the screw S, by means of a crank end is slotted to receive a wrist-pin t2 on the ratchet arm T4. The `return movement of the ratchet is accomplished by a spring t4 which forces a sliding pin t5 forwardly against, the lever T5.- The crank arm ss is placed on the shaft in such' relative angular arrangementi that it oscillates the Vratchetarm T4.

i and accomplishes 1a rotary movement of the roller T suflicient 'to advance another 'row of stamps immediately after the action of the plunger upon the last stamp 'of the preceding roll.

As .herein shownA the stampslare fedibef.

l 'tween the rollers T and U from a supply roller V which is journaled at c in brackets g on the `carriage frame. If the s'tampscan4 be obtained ina continuous or endless sheet they may be rolled up on the supply roller andA I carried between the rollers' -T and. U Without difli'culty.' For' the purpose, however, of providing for the successful handling of stamps which are supplied in short sheets we have shown additional devices as follows:

i f W, andW1 designate two continuous webs of any suitable material or fabric -whichare deattached at its ends to the surfaces of the rolls V and U so as to be permanently attached thereto. The lower web.W1 is car- 4receiving rolls.

vmechanism and other parts at the ried from the supply roller V between the rolls T and U and partially around the former to a fourth roller X. This web may also be conveniently secured to the surface of the roll V at the same point with the upper web W and at its otherend may be secured to the surface of the roll X. The two receiving rolls U and X are given a rotary motion at the same surface speed by means of belts T which pass around the extremities of the rolls U and 'X and ar'e guided partially around vthe main feed roll T by means of an idler T7,

the ends of thethree rolls being herein shown' as slightly reduced to receive said belt. With this construction the .sheets of stamps S S will be released from the two webs as they separate at the line of contactlbetween the rollsv T and U and the stamps will be passed upward through the guides, as before described, while the webs themselves will be wound up separately upon their respective is maintained in position by having its jour- As herein shown the r'oll U I nals u inserted in open slots Q1 inthe upper ends of bracket arm Q2 which rise from the carriage Q, and the lower roll X is similarly supported in open ended slots Q7, in depending rackets Q3 of the carriage. are intentionally 'made deep. enoughto allow the weight-of vthe roll U to rest upon the roll T and the belt T is designed to be of such length that the lower roll X will be practi cally suspended thereby and will thus act as a belt tightener. The idle roll T7 may also be made adjustable in slots g8 of the carriage frame for the same pur ose.

' It will ofcourse be o vious that the plan of operation thusdescribed will necessitate the previous placing of the sheets of stamps between the upper, and lower webs'and the .winding of the wliole upon the receiving roller V. It is contemplated that this ac- 'tion may be accomplished by-'rotating the receiving roll V after the stamps have been exhausted to wind the webs again upon it and by inserting the sheets of stamps in exact The slots Q7 succession between the webs as they are thus 'I rewound. Provision is, therefore, made for the application of a crank to the shaft of the receiving roll at. Iv1 to enable the roll to be readily rotated by hand. ever, as the near proximity of the iplunger the machine might render it inconvenient to properly insert the stamps between the' rolls T and U where they emerge, provisionis further .made for supporting the roll Uin the shape of bearing slotsg9 provided in the upper extremities of the brackets g which support the roll V. By sli ping off the belts 'T6 said roll U may be readi y lifted into the slots 9 and the 'point of insertion of the stamps hetween the webs will then be transferred to the .lower side of the 'roll V where ample ont of inasmuch, how-V les V y ing over grooves v3 inthe ends of the roll V and thence down to sustain weights v4 which hold them in tension.

The entire carriage may be removed at any time by simply unscrewing the nut t which holds the shaft T1 in the bracket T2, and -then slipping said shaft endwise until it is free from the bracket and from the ratchet arm T4 which will remain supported in the bracket by its sleeve t. The shaft in this case will not extend entirely through the roll T but will terminate at a sufficient distance from the receiving box E to permit the necessary endwise .movement of the shaft; the roll Tbeing journaled independently of the shaft by means of-a sleeve t7 which surrounds the shaft and projects at its ends into the journal bearings of thecarriage. To prevent wear on the stud g? sufficient to produce undesirable lost motion and to insure the successful vpassage of the stud through the point ofintersection of the helical grooves, said stud is rovided with a pivotally secured elongated ollower gomade of generally elliptical shape so as to readily follow the curves ofthe screw. The operation of the machine as a whole will be generally understood from the foregoing description of the construction and operation of its several'component parts. It

may be explained, however, that the travel of the presser arms which forward the enin 's own as made such that exactly two movements of said presser arms are necessary to bring the envelop in proper position to.

receive the stamp, while a third movement will carry the envelop along far enough to be caught between the fixing rolls. Theervelops will in this manner be advanced by an intermittent movement which will allow each envelop to remain stationary in correct position opposite the plunger for a time sufficient to permit the a plication of the stamp inthe mannerdescri ed. In the construction shown thegears B1 and C are of'such relative sizes as to rotate the crank C1- twice Two to each` revolution of the drive shaz.

, .reci rocations` of the llunger will also fobvious y occur uring t 1s timey owing to the provision of te doublewarm B and asbefore explained 'the ratchet mechanism will cause two movements of the carriage actuating screw to each revolution ofthe drive shaft. In other words, one complete reciprocation v elops to the plunger'and fixing rolls is here- -operation is completed.

of the carrier'mechanism accompanies each complete reciprocation of the -plunger and a pulse of the sheet advancing'rollers takesl the placeof a feed movement of the carriage. Obviously the several movements must be adjusted so as to Aoccur in exactly correct relativerelation to each otherA as regards time. To this end the various adjustments described are provided, togetherv with the:

clutch mechanism operated by the handle 1f which enables the plunger and carriage mechanisms to be timed with relation to the carrier mechanism7 or to be thrown out of operation entirely while the carrier-mechanism continues to run. The particular objectv of the latter function is t0v prevent the wasting ofstamgs 'by the continued action ofithe plunger an stamp feed after the last envelop has passed, or by their-action before y 'the carrier mechanism has had time, to pre. sent the first envelop to the plunger. In

practice in starting the carrier mechanisml may be first operated to bring an envelop properly before the plunger, and the clutch then thrown in to set the plunger inoperation at the pro er moment.

-It will be un erstood that a generic feature of the presentinvention consists in the provision of a combined sealing and stamping machine for envelops, in which the sealing and stamping are accomplished by moving the 'envelops 1n succession through a unitary organization of moistemng, sealing and stamping devices, such as will 1 accomplish both desired 'results' by what is in effect a single operation. And in so `far as this generic feature is concerned, it is immaterial whether the two functions of moving the en`.

velops and `of pressing their fiaps against their bodies toseal themris accomplished by separate mechanical means or not, provided that the complete machine, regardless of the complish both -functions in the 'course of the rsame general operation and with the same A number or specific character Iof its constitnent mecharnsms or parts, 1s such as to actheir path of lmovement and as Asuch general It will furthermore be understood that 'while particularly described and in this instance deslgned for the applicationrof postage stamps to mail matter, a machine of gener-- ally similar construction'and involving the same vprinciples of operation but proportioned and arran ed for the application of labels of various s apes and sizes to any sort of printed or other matter capable of passing through .the machine, may readily be devised, the plunger and Adie plate beinggrnade v of proper slze and shape corresponding to the stampor label to be aflixed. And in'case the label or stamp or the envelop` flap is-not already gummed the moistenlng devices, or

their equivalents, may be .used to supply mucilage to secure the necessary adhesion. It will also be understood that while the construction set forth is as a whole Abelieved to be practically convenient and successful for the purposes intended, its several mechanisms may be employed singly or together in connection with various other mechanisms to produce operative machines for the same or analogous purposes, and the invention is therefore intended to cover the valuable features' of the mechanisms considered separately as well as the complete combinatlon shown. Obviously also the machine set forth may b e employed for sealing stamped envelops or envelops t'o Which the stamps are afxed by a separate operation, or which donot require to be stamped, or it maybe used for. stamping -envelops which are already sealed, or mail -matter which does not require Y sealing, and iinally it will be understood that the various details of construction may be Widely varied Without in vany Waydeparting romthe broad spirit of the invention.

We claim as our invention :1* Y

1. The vcombination with a stamp alixing mechanism and with means for feeding ,matter to be stamped to the aliixing mechanism to receive the stamp, `of a stamp carria e, means for moving the carriage ast the a ing mechanism step by ste an -for returning it step by ste ,means or advancing the4 stamps at eac lend of the carriage movement, and for supplying succeeding sheets to be in turn advanced `on the carriage row by row to the affixing mechanism as each preceding sheet is exhausted. Y

2. The combination with astamp axing mechanism including platen between which .the matter to -be stamped is introduced, of a stamp carriage, means for moving the carriage pastthe plunger step by step with-eachreciprocation o'f the plunger and for returning it by similar reverse steps, vmeans for advancing the stamps atv each end of the carriage movement, and for supplying succeeding sheets of stamps to be in turn advanced Aon-the carrlage row by-row to the aiiixing mechanism as each preceding sheet is exhausted.

3. The combination with a stampaffxing mechanism including a plunger and opposing latenfof a .carrier for moving matter piece y iece betwe'en the plunger and platen with eac reciprocation of the plunger, a stamp a carriage, means for moving the carriage past the plunger step by step 'with each reciprocation of theplunger and for returning it by similar reverse steps, means for advancing the stamps atqeh end of the carriage movement, and for supplying succeeding sheets of stamps to be in turn advanced on-the car-v a plunger and opposing mechanism, of means for'moving matterv to be stamped into stationary position before theaffixing mechanism' and for removing it therefrom by a succeeding movement, a stamp carriage, means f or moving the'carriage past the aixingmechanism step by step and for returning it step by step, means for advancing the stamps at each end of the carriage movement, and for supplying succeeding sheets of stamps t0 be 1n turn advanced on the carriage row by row to the aiflxing mechanism as each preceding sheet is exhausted.

5. The combination with a stamp afxing mechanism includin a plunger and opposing platen, of a carrier or moving matter to be stamped piece by'piece between the plunger and platen with' each reciprocation ofthe plunger and for removing each piece with the succeeding reciprocation, a stampcarriage, means for moving the carriage pastthe plunger step by step with eachV reciprocation of the plunger and for returning it by similar riage row by roW to the aflixing mechanism f as each preceding sheet is exhausted. -f

v6. TheY combination With a stamp aflfixing 'i mechanism and with means for feeding mat-A ter to be stampedto the aiiXi-ng mechanism,l

of a stamp carriage, means for moving the carriage past the afiixing mechanism ste by step and for returning it step` by step wlth a dwell of one interval at each end of its path of movement, means, for advancing the stamps at each end of the carriage.'movement, and for supplying succeeding'sheets of' stamps toA be in turn advanced on the carriage row by 'row to the aflixing mechanism as each preceding she'et is exhausted.l f

7. The combination with a stamp afxing mechanism, of means for moving the matter to be stamped into stationary-position before the aflixingmechanism and for removing it therefrom by a Succeeding movement, a.

stamp carriage, means for moving the carriage past the afxing mechanism .step -by step wlth adwell of one interval at-each end of its path of movement, means for advancing the stamps at each end of, said path of movement, and for supplying succeeding sheets of stamps to be in turn advanced on the carriage row by row to the alixing mech'- anism as each preceding sheet is exhausted.

8. The combination with a'stamp affiXing mechanism, of a receiving table for the envelQ s to be stamped, means for moving the enve ops from the receiving table to the `af-v fixingv mechanism, means located between the table and affixingmechanism by Which the envelops are moistened in said movement, and means for pressing the flaps against the'envelops to seal them.

9. The combination with a stamp aixing' l n mechanism, of means for moving matter to be stamped into stationary position before for advancing the stamps at each end of the a supp carriage movement, and for supplying succeedin sheets of stamps to be in turn ad- Vance on the carriage row by row to the affixing mechanism as each preceding sheet is exhausted.

10. The combination with the stam afiixing mechanism and with means for ceding e matter to the affixing mechanism to receive the stam's, ofl a stamp carriage, means .for moving t e carriage past the aflixing 'mechanism step by step and for returning it step by step, a pair of exible webs wound upon ro ler journaled on the carriage and adapte to receive consecutive p. sheets of stam s between them, separateV receiving rolls orthe webs'also journaled on the carriage, and meansfor-rotating.tharolls to ad,- vance the sheets of stamps at each end of the carriage movement.

11. The combination with the mechanism for detaching and applyingthe individual stamps, of a stamp carriage provided with a pair of iexible webs with the sheets of stamps etween them,'a feed roller over` which .said

webs are carried, a receiving roller for one of the webs resting upon the feed roller and supported thereon by slots` which engage its journals, a separate receiving roller for the other web also with its journals in slotted supports, flexible belting hangingfrom the upper" receiving roll 'and .suspendingthe lower receiving roll, and passing in contact with the feed roll, means for moving the carriage, and for moving the feed roll on the carriage when it reaches the extremity of( its movement.

12. The` combination with the stamp applying mechanism,` of a passa e way for cnnducting matter to be stampe tosaid mechanism, acarriermovable longitud.' all of said passage, means for reciprocating sai carrier past said mechanism by strokes shorter thanl the length of the carrier, and means for moving sai carrier into said passage at the beginning of each forwarding` stroke 4and for withdrawing it from the passage at the beginning of each return stroke.

13. The combination withthe stamp applying mechanism, of a passa `e way for conducting matter to be stampe to saidmech-` anism, a carrier comprising oscillatin presser i arms mounted on an axis extending ongituand-engaging the guide bar, an actuating f presser arms secured to said on said tripping bar for throwing the togg dinally along said passage, means for reciprocating said arms longitudinally ofsaid axis,

r 'and means for swinging the free ends of the arms into said passage'at the beginning of each forwarding stroke and for withdrawing them therefrom at the beginning of eachre: turnl stroke.

14. The combination'with the stamp apglying mechanism, of a passa eeway for con- Y ucting matter to be stampe to said mechanism, a carrier mechanism movable longitudinally of said passage, means for reciprocating said carrier longitudinally of said passage, means for moving the carrier into the passage at the beginning of each forwarding stroke and for withdrawing it therefrom at the be innin of each return stroke, and-rubber pas on ie carrier for frictionally engaging the matter to be stamped.

. plying mechanisms, of av carrier mechanism comprising a reciprocatory bar, astationary guide bar yarranged parallel thereto, a slotted plate connected with-the reciprocatory bar crank having a wrist pin engaging said'slot, presser arms secured tothe reciprocatory bar, and means for oscillating the presser arms with each reciprocation.

16. The combin tion with the stamp applying mechanisms, of a carrier mechanism comprising reciprocatory parts, oscillatory arts and rigly connected together, a togg e inserted between a presser arm and a non-oscillating reciprocatory part, and means -for operating the toggle at each end of the reciprocating movement to throw the ends of the presser. arms alternately into and'out of the path'of movement of the matter to be stamped.

17.' The .combination with the stamp applying'mechanisms, of a carrier mechanismcomprising .reciprocatory parts, oscillatory `presser arms secured to said parts, a toggle Y inserted between a presser arm and a non-'110 oscillatin reci rocatory part, a tri ping bar connecte wit said `toggle an passing loosely through-a stationary part, and stops e and' oscillating the presser yarms at each end 115 of the reciprocating movement..

,118. rlhev combination with the stamp a i plying mechanism, and with a receiving tab e or-the matter to beV stamped, of apassage leading from the tablefto said mechanism, a 120 carrier'reciprocating along said passage past the table and stamp applying mechanism, means for moving said carrier into said assageiat the beginning of each forwar ing stroke and for withdrawing it atl the begin- 125 ning ofeach return stroke, and means for pressing the matter on the table towards the carrier.r f

19. The combinationwi-th a stamp afiixing 'mechanism "connected by a `passage with a 130 receiving table for the matter tube-stamped,

ofa carrier reciprocating along said passage,

vmeans for moving said carrier into said passage and laterally against the face of the matter to be stamped at the beginning of each forwarding stroke and for withdrawing itat the beginning of each return stroke, a padon the carrier for frictionally engaging the -matter to be stamped, and means for pressing said matter'toward the carrier.

20. The combination with the stamp a lying mechanism, an'd with a receiving tabil) or the matter to be stamped, 'of a connecting passage, a lcarrier comprising oscillating presser arms mounted on an axis extending along said assage, means for reciprocatin said arms ongitudinally of said axis, an means for swinging the free ends ofthe arms into said passageI at the beginning of each v2,0 forwarding stroke and for withdrawing them at the beginning of each return stroke, and means for pressing the matter onthe table p toward the carrier. 21. The combination with a stamp affixing mechanism including a plunger andopposing platen, of a stamp carriage, means for movmg the carriage past the lunger step1 by step and for returning it ste i y step wit a dwe of one interval' at eac end of its ypath of `.0 movement', and means for advancing the sheet of stam s on the carriage at each end of its path o movement, a receiving table for the matter to be stamped, a passage leading from'said table to between the plunger and. platen, a reci rocating carrier movable longitudinally of t e passage, means for mov- -ing said carrier into said passage at the beginning of each f forwarding stroke and -for withdrawing it at the beginning of each re- 40 turn stroke, and means for pressing the matter on the tab-le toward the carriein 22. Thecombination with the stamp applying mechanisms, of a carrier-mechanism comprising reciprocating pre'sser arms and' 45. means for moving said arms alternately into and Vaway from the path of the matter to be stamped, amoistening device' held yieldingly in the path of said matter, and a camsurface on a presser arm adapted to engagefand force 5,0 back the moistening device at intervals.

23. The combination with a stamp affixing mechanism including a plunger and platen, of-

a stamp carriage, meansfor moving the carriage past the plunger" step by step with each 55 reciprocation ofthe plunger and for returning it by similar reverse steps, means for advancing the sheet of stamps on the carriage at each end of its path of movement, a receiving table for the envelops to be stamped,

means for moving said envelops in succession from the receiving table past ,the plunger, means located between the table and plunger .by which the envelop aps are moistened in this movement, Aand means for re'ssing the 55 Aiapsagainst the envelops to sea the latter.

plunger by which the flap of each envelop is I moi'stened in its movement by the carrier', and presser devices for sealing the flap gd against the envelop. A 25. The combination with a stamp aflixing mechanism, of a receiving table for the envelo s to be stamped, means for moving the enve ops in succession from the receiving ta- 35 ble to the affixing mechanism, means located between the table and affixing mechanism by which the envelop flaps are moistened in saidA movement, and means for pressing the flaps. I. .against the envelops to seal them.' 90

26. The combination with a stampaxing mechanismand with an automatic stamp feed capable of feeding several sheets of stamps in continuation to the aflixing'meohanism, of an automatic envelop feed ca able 95,- of feeding envelops sin ly to the a in mechanism, and means or moistening an sealing the flaps of said envelops during the feeding operation. i' i 27. The combination with a'stamp affixin 100 mechanism, of 'means for holding severa sheets each made up of a lurality of mdivid ualstamps, and feed mec anism for advanc.- in the several sheetsl in continuation of each otie'r and for presentin each individual 105 stamp Vof each and every s eet to the axing mechanism in continuous succession.

28. The combination with a stamp axing mechanism, of a receiving table for the envelo s to be stamped, 'means for moving the 110 enve ops from the'receivin table to the afixing mechanism, means ocated between the table and afxing mechanism by which the envelo flaps are moistened in said movement, an means for4 pressing the flaps .115 against the envelops to seal them.

29. In a combined sealing and stamping machinefor'envelops, the combination with a .-stampI aflixing mechanism to which the enble for the envelops to be stamped, means for 1 for moving said ress er arm alternately into' stamped, a moistening devicenormally held 'and' away from| t e path of the matter to be in the path of the matter yand arranged lfor moistening contact therewith as the mattei` is carried .past it, and means on `the presser arm-for engaging and forcing back the moistening device-at intervals and so as to prei vent unnecessary moistening of the matter.

32. In acombined sealing and stamping machine for envelops, the combination with a stamp afiixing mechanism to which the envelops are movablein succession, of means for moistening the envelops located along .their path of movement, and means for move ing the envelops past the moistening means and aflixing mechanism and pressing. the,

I fla s against the bodies of the envelops.I tosea them'h, f 30 33. In a combined sealing machine-for venvelops, the combination with -a stamp aflix'ing mechanism to which the envelops'are moved in succession, of means for moistenlng the envelops located along thelr. '35' i -A against .the bodies of the envelops, includingv path of movement, meansfor moving thefenvelops past the moistening means and aflixing mechanism and turning down the iaps means beyond the stamp aifixing mechanism for applying pressure tending to insure the sealin and stamping.

34. A n a, combined sealing and stamping machine for envelops, the combination with .y a' stamp affixingmechanism to which the envelops` are movable in succession, of means jfor sealing the fla s of the envelops located f along their path o movement and including -means for moving said envelo s past the moistening means to and beyon th'e afiixing mechanism.

3 5. In a combined sealing and stamping I machine for envelo s, the combination of a l stamp aflixing mec anism to which the envelops are movableyin succession, of means for sealing the flaps of the envelops located along their path of movement including means for moving 'said .envelops past the moisteningmeans to the affixing mechanism and means beyond the aflixing mechanism for advancing the envelops and applying finall pressure thereto.

36. Ina combined sealing and' stamping machine for envelops, the combination with csf v a stamp aflxing mechanism to which the envelops are moved in succession, of means for them.

moistening the lenvelops, means for 'moving the envelops past the moistening means and affixing mechanism and turning down the A llapsagainst the bodies of the envelo s, and

a pair of rolls beyond the ailixing mec anism' for sub'ecting the'envelops to final pressure. 37. n a combined sealingand stamping machine for envelops,v the combination with a stamp aflixing mechanism to which the'envelops are moved in succession, of means located along their path of movement' for moistening the fiaps` and stamp receiving faces `of the envelops during their'movement, and mechanical elements'operating to move the envelopspast the moistening means and aflixing mechanism and to press the flaps against the bodies of the envelo s to seal them andv to cause a-d'wellof eac opposite the aflixingmechanism.

.38. In a combined sealingand stamping machine for envelops, the combination with a stamp aiiixing mechanismfof, a receiving envelop table for the envelops to be stamped, means for moistening the/envelops durin the movey l .ment thereof, said means beingocated be'- tween the receiving table and aflixing mechanism, and means for moving the. envelo s ffrom-the receiving table -to and beyond t e .y vfafiiring mechanism and .to press thea'ps and stamping' againstV the bodies ofthe envelops to seal them, said means alsoproducing avdwellrof the envelop opposite the affixing mechanism.

39. In a combined sealing and stamping machinefor envelops, the combination with a stamp aflixing mechanism, of 4a recdiving table for the envelops'to be stamped, devices located` between 'the receiving table andy affixing mechanism for moistening the laps and stamp receiving faces of theenvelops, and moving and pressing means for movmg the envelops from the receiving table ast the aflixing mechanism and closing the aps against the bodies ,4o. A-'maehine for stamping and Sealing envelops comprising a table for receiving the envelops, means for moving the .envelops of the envelops Ato seal lalong a fixed ath' of movement intermlt-l n tently 'and wit a period of rest or dwell, means for' moistening the envelops for'sealing, means for .closing down the ila'ps against the bodies of the envelops to seal them,

means for'moistenin'g" the stamp 'receiving-- faces of the envelops, and means for 'affixing stamps to the moistened faces of the envelops during said eriod of rest or dwell. g

41. A machine or sealing and stamping envelops comprising a magazine or table for holding the stack or ile of envelops, means for moving the enve o s from the. stack or pile intermittently an With'periods of rest or dwell, means for moistening the envelops for sealing, means for closing the flaps against A the bodies of the envelops to 'seal theni,

means for moistening the stamp receiving holding a stack or pile' o 42. machine for stamping and sealing 5 envelops' comprising a magazine or table for holding a stack or -pile of envelops, means for moving the envelo'ps successively and by an intermittent motionfrom this stack or pile, with periods of. rest or dwell, meansl for'moistening the envelops for sealing and for turning down the iiaps against the bodies ofthe envelops, means for moistening the stamp' receiving faces of the envelops, and means for afflxmg the stamps to the moisof rest or dwell.

43. A machine yfor stamping and sealing envelops `comprising a ma azineor table for holding a stack or pile o envelops, means for moving -the envelops one at a time from the stack or'pile by an intermittent move- @face of eachsuccessive envelop during its .30V

44.. A machine period of rest or dwell. s

stamping andsealing envelops Viiomprisinfg; magazine or table for envelope, means for moistening the stamp -ieceiving faces of for velops'and .for closing thejflaps against theA ,ism with a period of rest or dwell at the aflixiigx'mech'ansm duringwhich a stamp is a ed to' 'each envelop in turn.

envelops 'comprising a table for Areceiving the jenvelops,l means foi'. moistenmg the -'stampreceivingfaces of the envelops, meansfor moiste'ning ,A the envelops for sealing and for closing the iiaps against the-bodies of the -velops from the table a substantially horizontal path to and beyond the aflixing mechanismwith a'period of rest or'dwell at the rafxiiig mechanisml during which period a stamp` 1s affixed tothe moistened face of each envelop in turn;

tened faces of the envelops during theperiods or moistening the stamp receivingv the envelops, a stamp affxing, mechanism", means for`moisteningtheilaps of the en.

alf-B xing mechanism.

envelops, and ,means for moving -theen-y machine for stamping and sealingy envelopscomprising a magazine or table `for.

,holdinga stack or pile of envelops, means for moistening the stamp receiving facesv of the envelops, a stamp affxing mechanism,

.means for moistening the envelops for sealing and fo'r closing the flaps against the bodies of the envelopsand means for mov- `mec'hanismduring which period 4a stamp isiy affixed to the moistened face of each envelop in turn. r

47 4The combination with a stamp'aiiixing mechanism and with an automaticV stamp feed capable of feeding two Aormore sheets of stamps in continuation to the 'aHiXing mechanism, of an automatic envelop feed capable of feeding envelope to the aiiXmg mechan-` ism.

48. The combination with a stamp affixing mechanism, of means for holding two or more sheets each made up of a plurality of indie vidual 'stamps and ed mechanism for advancing the sheets 1n continuation of each other andfoil presenting the stamps'to the "aliixing mechanism in continuous succession.

' 49. `The'combination with astamp affixin mechanism, of means for holding severa sheets each made up of a plurality of indi-.-

vidi'ial stamps and ,feed mechanism for advancing the several sheets in continuation of.

each other and presenting the stamps tothe g'mechamsm in continuous succession, andjy an "automatic .envelop feed deliveringA 'envelops `in continuous succession t'o' the 50'. Thecombination'of a magazine or car- Iier for containing a stack of envelope, a feeder operable to discharge envelops successively from the stack, means for moving envelops I in a predetermined path subsequent to the op- 45. A machine for stamping 'and sealing eration of the feeder thereon', suitable sealing.

means, a flap moistener situated between the as our invention we afflxou'r signatures in presence of two subscribing witnesses this 22d day of September, A. D. 1897.

EDWARD C. MORRIS. LOUISJ. HALL.

. Witnesses:

. HENRY W. CARTER,

A. H. GRAVES. 

